Saturday, June 26, 2010

BEAULIEU VINEYARD TAPESTRY RESERVE 2005

T-Bones Chophouse is the steakhouse in the Red Rock Casino in Las Vegas. It's a wonderful room, nice and sunny in the late afternoon just after opening at 5:00. I have enjoyed several glasses at the bar, usually while watching a sporting event on which I hoped to make a killing. The sports are shown on plenty of monitors just over the big, underlit onyx bar - much like the one at Terra Rossa, only with darker tones running through it.

I decided to try the Beaulieu Vineyard Tapestry Reserve '05. It's a big Napa Valley red blend that goes for $14 by the glass. The wines at T-Bones seemed to be a little pricier than the ones at Terra Rossa, ranging up to $28 for the Silver Oak Cab. There is also a Sauternes on the T-Bones list, Chateau Rieussec Premier Grand Cru Classe, at $20.

The nose is immense. Black cherry dominates the aromas, with some spice and a huge chocolate sensation which comes out after the heat blows off. This poured fairly hot and required a bit of time to calm down.

The taste is big and rich. Cherry, baker's chocolate and licorice all play a part. It's a pretty fabulous wine. It's so good it almost makes you forget about your team not covering the point spread. Almost.